Rachel Zegler Urges Focus on Talent Over Appearance Following ‘Snow White’ Casting Backlash

Rachel Zegler is stressing how crucial it is to nurture and develop potential based on aptitude rather than looks.

 Nearly four years after being selected as Disney's legendary princess, the ‘Snow White’ actress discussed diversity and inclusion in an interview with Allure for the magazine's March cover story.  Zegler, who is currently 23 years old, said she hopes that casting choices in the future will continue to develop talent regardless of external traits.

 Because of her Colombian and Polish ancestry, her casting in 2021 provoked racist outrage, with some doubting her fit for the typically fair-skinned role.  In response, Zegler said in a 2024 Variety interview that rather than emphasizing skin tone, the live-action version reimagines Snow White's moniker as a symbol of resiliency following her survival of a childhood winter.

Image Courtesy: Rachel Zegler/ Instagram

Zegler's breakthrough performance as María in ‘West Side Story’ (2021) brought her widespread recognition.  Because her last name didn't seem Latin, she remembered being asked to prove her Latin background several times during that casting process.  In order to verify her heritage, she even made a joke about volunteering to bring her grandma to auditions.  She talked about how difficult it is to convince business leaders of her identity, but she also said she is really proud of her Colombian heritage.

 Zegler acknowledged the protectiveness that some viewers have for 1937 animated ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ in a recent interview with Vogue Mexico.  Despite differing views, she saw that devotion as an honour to be a part of something so cherished.

Image Courtesy: Rachel Zegler/ Instagram

When Zegler criticized ‘Prince Charming's actions and called the original movie out of date at the 2022 D23 Expo, he had already drawn criticism.  In response to that debate, she told Vogue Mexico that Disney has made an effort to balance respecting the original movie with making it suitable for a contemporary audience.

 On 21st March, ‘Snow White’ makes its theatrical debut.

–Farheen Ali